6 
that which would seem least liable to be overlooked, 
is its tendency to grow. Yet trees are constantly so 
placed that they must in time interfere with each 
other and with other objects, so that eventually, just as 
we become attached to them, we are forced to muti- 
late or destroy them. Lastly, it is a general rule 
that almost everything done in haste is badly done. 
The operations of landscape gardening are sometimes 
spoken of as expensive, yet men do not hesitate to 
prosecute them with such precipitation, that they 
are fortunate if they have to do the work no more 
than twice. 
Thus far we have spoken only of what to avoid ; 
let us now look at the positive side of the subject, and 
consider what to pursue; and, first of all, how to 
begin. We must, at the outset, make ourselves well 
acquainted with our land. Look first at the direction 
of its inclinations. Southern slopes are among the 
prime resources of an estate; and, in our country, 
the West is, for several reasons, rather preferable to 
the East. Next consider the views. These are to 
be estimated not only for their intrinsic beauty, but 
with reference to direction, to accessibility, to per- 
manence, etc., etc. Small peaked hills, whence one 
gets an extended prospect, are common enough, and 
of comparatively little value; while a sheltered 
South-western slope, commanding a valley or water 
view, the objects of interest lying mainly on our 
own ground, so that the prospect cannot be cut off 
and may be indefinitely improved,—this is invalu- 
